ABO Maintenance of Certification (MOC) – A Balanced Approach to Lifelong Learning

Traditional continuing education for optometrists often relies on passive learning formats, such as attending lectures or reading journal articles, that do little to foster active engagement or meaningful self-reflection. A major limitation to this passive learning approach is that most health care professionals are not particularly accurate in identifying their own knowledge gaps or skill deficiencies. And studies have shown that as practitioners progress in their careers and become more specialized, their educational focus tends to narrow. While this narrowed focus may enhance expertise in specialized areas, it may also reduce exposure to the broader spectrum of professional knowledge and practices, potentially limiting clinical adaptability and comprehensive decision-making.

To address these challenges, the American Board of Optometry’s Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program was designed to offer a more dynamic and balanced approach. The CAP assessments, which are the core of the MOC program, objectively measure knowledge and skills across the broad range of topics that optometry encompasses.  Objective assessments shine a light on knowledge gaps and deficiencies of which a practitioner may be unaware. In the survey following each CAP assessment, ABO Diplomates are asked about their experience with the fundamental knowledge section of the assessment. About 25% of respondents indicate that they are confident in their knowledge of the subject prior to the assessment, but they now realize they need to improve or update their knowledge.  The requirement that Diplomates must pass 7 of the 9 CAP assessments within a 4-year MOC cycle ensures that practitioners are maintaining a knowledge base across the expansive spectrum of primary care optometry.

Balancing out this structured, ABO-directed element of the MOC program is the self-directed component that comprises the majority of the 100 hours of CE a Diplomate must earn during each MOC cycle. Diplomates may choose learning opportunities that are tailored to their specific interests, the needs of their patient populations and their individual learning styles. ABO offers a couple of free opportunities to assist in fulfilling this 100-hour requirement: quarterly webinars and self-guided learning modules. The webinar topics are chosen to align with the CAP assessments, offering an opportunity for Diplomates to refresh and expand their knowledge in that area. The self-guided learning modules may be used for self-assessment or as a tool to improve knowledge on a specific topic.

In our next newsletter, we will explore ways to maximize the benefits of the MOC program by understanding how the components complement and interact with each other.